West German M1A1 helmet with JF60 interior

[Sleepwalker]

Hello,

Since this West German helmet type keeps popping up here in the forum, I thought I would do a comprehensive presentation of this type.

It is the M1A1 helmet with JF60 interior (called M1A1 JF60 for better handling). After the Bundeswehr was very dissatisfied with the US model M1, they wanted to find a solution that was close to the old German steel helmet. A one-piece helmet with a permanently installed inner helmet was also required. The external form was dictated by NATO membership. The M35/40/42 steel helmet was still used in a modified version by the West German police and the Federal Border Guard.

The name JF60 has nothing to do with a year. It is merely an internal factory designation.

In addition, significantly better steel was not yet allowed to be produced in Germany. This was only possible again from the beginning of the 1960s.
It was therefore decided to provisionally purchase the shells for the M1A1 JF60 from the Swedish company Eskilstuna Stalpressnings A.B. to be manufactured. This company had the greatest experience in helmet and matching steel production in Europe and the world.

The shells were used for the M1A1 JF60 until 1960 (shells were imported from Sweden until 1963, after which the German steel industry took over)

The manufacturer's marking can be found inside the helmet in the form of white writing. There are the years 1958, 1959 and 1960.

e.g.

3 = Makercode - Eskilstuna Stalpressnings A.B.
59 = 1959
60 = Lot Number

In 1959 and 1960, a label with the instructions for use was also stuck underneath.

The inner lining was developed by the manufacturer Hans Römer, Neu-Ulm. It was attached to the shell with 4 split pins. The leather could be adjusted to the head size using an internal drawstring.

Only the shells were sourced from Sweden. Interior fittings were made in Germany and assembly also took place in Germany. The shell was painted in bronze olive RAL 6014 (old) with a slightly sandy texture.

The chin strap made of web material was also redeveloped and received a modified closure. The chin strap was not replaceable and the holder was attached to the shell using hollow rivets. These were major criticisms. The rivet often broke apart. Therefore the chin strap was reconsidered. It held a holder that made it easy to replace. This was riveted with a solid pin, which did not break.

Due to the wear and fire tests, the front splines should be moved slightly outwards.

The large-scale wearing test with several thousand helmets was carried out in 1958 and the helmet was finally officially introduced on January 15, 1959.

However, this helmet was not the standard helmet for long.
As early as 1960/1961, an improved M1A1 helmet was introduced, which had the I60 interior from Schuberth-Werke, Braunschweig. This model had already been introduced in 1953 as version I53 for the Federal Border Guard's helmets.

Even after that, the helmet was not retired. The shells should be kept ready for use as long as possible, also because many thousands were purchased. For this reason, there were regular overhauls and the addition of new interior fittings in the following years. For this purpose, new variants of the interior were produced.

Overhauls can also be recognized by the lack of white stamping on the inside, newer texture and changed chin strap. The label with the instructions for use was no longer stuck in either.

A rough distinction can be made between 3 types of replacement interior fittings, which are further divided into smaller variants. There are also differences in how the chin strap holders are attached.

This type of helmet became the M1A1 mod from 1981. converted and thus received a total of 9 rivets (so-called rivet helmet). The last M1A1 JF60s were phased out starting in 1992.

Below I would like to introduce the known variants.

[Sleepwalker]

This is an early M1A1 JF60 from the original large scale trial in 1958.

Still with splints that are a little closer together on the front.

Inner lining according to the Römer model made of soft (originally) light lambskin.
Gray cellular rubber lining
Closed chin strap mount firmly attached to the shell with a hollow rivet. The chin strap cannot be replaced.































































The year 1959 follows

[Sleepwalker]

The year 1959 has largely the same characteristics as the year 1958. After the wearing test, the front splines are slightly moved outwards.

Only a label with instructions for use was stuck in.

This example comes from an old arsenal stock and has signs of storage on the outside.



























































Year 1960 follows

[Sleepwalker]

Year 1960. Arsenal piece with storage marks. Last year of production. No differences from previous years. Therefore, I will omit the details here.



























This is followed by the revised M1A1 JF60.

[Rescue190]

Great write up and good descriptions. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
John

[ruddersrangers44]

Perfection as always with you Sleepwalker and amazing Helmets,and yes have said it before your photography is top notch,the detailing is fantastic.thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[Sleepwalker]

Now to the repair options.

After the last M1A1 JF60 was manufactured in 1960, the helmets remaining in the force were regularly overhauled.

It's easy to recognize overhauls because the white stamps on the inside are missing because the helmets have been repainted.

Here we have an early overhaul. The inner lining is still the early Roman model. The chin strap is still attached with a hollow rivet.

[Sleepwalker]

During the next overhaul phase, in addition to new paint, new inner lining, the revised chin strap type (standard on the M1A1 J60) was installed.

The holder in the form of open clamps allows you to easily change the chin strap.

The brackets are riveted with solid pins that will not break under normal conditions.

As with all overhauls, there are no longer any white stamps or labels on the inside.

[Sleepwalker]

Over the years, interior fittings that were reproduced and deviated from the original design were increasingly used.

White plastic (termoplast) was used instead of pressed material. Here too, the new chin strap was attached and the shell was repainted. Here, however, a hollow rivet was again used for fastening.

[Sleepwalker]

From the end of the 1960s, an interior was installed that had black foam rubber upholstery. The type of leather has also been changed. It is now high-quality soft cowhide leather.

Otherwise new chin strap and new color.